Plants as pesticides: from local uses to global perspectivesPhilip C. Stevenson, Professor of Plant Chemistry and Head of Chemical Ecology and Plant Biochemistry Group, Natural Resources Institute

Phil Stevenson is Professor of Plant Chemistry at the University of Greenwich and has worked at the University since its merger with the Natural Resources Institute in 1996. He also holds a position with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew where he is Senior Research Leader in Chemical Ecology and in vitro Biology.

His research has focussed on the biological and ecological role of secondary plant metabolites for applications to different agricultural and ecological problems in the tropics and increasingly in Europe and the US. These include studying natural resistance in crops to pests, using pesticidal plants (botanical insecticides) as benign and affordable alternatives to synthetic insecticides and research on pollen and nectar chemistry to determine their role in pollinator behavour, health and ecology. He has published over 100 papers in peer reviewed journals and funds his research from various competitive sources including BBSRC, NSF, USDA, McKnight Foundation and the European Union.

Mick has investigated the ecotoxicity and environmental risk of plant protection products (PPPs) for Syngenta and its legacy companies, since graduating in 1978. Practical background is in aquatic fate and effects, ranging from laboratory acute toxicity testing, through to field mesocosm studies, including the bioavailabilty and toxicity of chemicals in sediments. Since the 1990s contributed to many workshops aimed at clarifying and improving testing methodologies and the risk assessment process for PPPs in Europe and North America, particularly with respect to the aquatic environment. Within Syngenta work on early stage projects, including biopesticides, to ensure appropriate environmental safety and regulatory profiles. Outside of Syngneta, recent activities include organizing a SETAC workshop on the potential impact of environmental mixtures and looking at ecosystem services approaches to risk assessment.

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Question time

10:30

Enterprise Europe Network: how it supports the innovative green businessMetodi Naydenov, Business Adviser - Enterprise Europe Network, University of Greenwich

Metodi Naydenov is part of Enterprise Europe Network – the European initiative for supporting innovative SMEs - since 2012, he started in the Network’s office in Sofia, Bulgaria, before moving to the University of Greenwich, UK, in 2016. He has worked for the business and technology growth of many English and Bulgarian innovative companies, helping them build valuable partnerships with buyers, suppliers, and R&D centres overseas. Metodi was also a member of international research teams under a number of EU projects in the field of entrepreneurship, green and IT innovations. Prior to Enterprise Europe Network, he was an EU programmes specialist in Bulgaria’s Ministry of Education and Science and a marketing expert in the engineering sector.

Metodi graduated from European Public Affairs in the Maastricht University, the Netherlands and speaks English, Bulgarian, Russian, and French.

As part of the Agriculture Team at KTN, Liliya helps innovative and high-growth companies within the agri-food supply chain, businesses involved in primary production and processing of plants and crops, companies developing technologies for improving the efficiency and reducing wastage, and those developing products and services for the agri-food sector. She provides coordination for several BBSRC co-funded industry clubs, and supports the management of the Plant Sector Advisory Board. She holds a PhD in Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology, and previously worked at the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, specialising in biorenewables and agri-technologies.